Gogletab.com Removal Guide

Do you know what Gogletab.com is?

We want to inform you about a new browser hijacker called Gogletab.com that is cleverly disguised as Google.com to avoid detection and removal. Our security experts say that it comes bundled with malicious software installers that inject it into your browser secretly. Its developers want you to use it for searching the web because they make money by subjecting you to commercial advertisements and links that are included in the search results. That is right, this fake search engine uses Google’s search results, but will also modify them to include links that generate income when clicked. To find out more about it, we kindly invite you to read this whole article.

Like most browser hijackers, Gogletab.com was created by someone who has decided to stay in the shadows, so there is no information about who or where it was created. Still, our researchers have received information suggesting that this particular browser hijacker is related to 123rede{.}com, and Gamegogle{.}com. Now, some browsers and antimalware programs find these sites as malicious, so we do not recommend that you access them. This fact suggests that Gogletab.com may also be blocked soon, provided that it features malicious content, which it has not done yet.

However, you might want to get rid of it right now because its developers have made arrangements with freeware distributors and shady software developers to include Gogletab.com in the installer used for various programs. Hence, you might encounter such installers on sites that are dedicated to distributing software or on a site that features the download of one specific program. Researchers say that the installers may be configured to inject this hijacker into Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. And, all of this is done secretly, the installers does not allow you to deselect its installation. Therefore, classifying Gogletab.com as a browser hijacker was entirely justified.Gogletab.com screenshotScroll down for full removal instructions

Testing has shown that the installers this hijacker comes with are designed to interact with your web browser and replace its homepage, and this is the case for all three browsers mentioned above. Also, they say that it should also replace Chrome’s new tab page. As noted, this hijacker looks exactly like Google.com which is an outright deception. The main page even says Google on it in Google’s signature color scheme and font. However, it is not the same as Google.com, because it was configured to display shady promotional links in its search results.

Our researchers say that when you enter a search query in the search box and click search, the hijacker processes the query and redirects it to Google, but it also connects to its advertising servers and injects additional promotional links. As a result, you do not get the best search results that Google can offer you and we are of the opinion that using Gogletab.com involves some level of risk. It is entirely possible that this hijacker will present questionable links that can redirect you to malicious or scam websites that will jeopardize your computer’s security or extract personal information from you. Given that this hijacker will not only replace your browser’s homepage but might also subject you to malicious content, you should consider getting rid of it.

In summary, Gogletab.com is malicious search engine distributed via malicious software installers. The installers are configured to place it as your browser’s homepage and, once it is in your browser, it might show you shady promotional links. So to keep your computer out of harm’s way, we suggest removing it using our guide on how to set a new homepage address.

Change the homepage address

Microsoft Internet Explorer

Open the browser.

Simultaneously press Alt+T.

Select Internet Options.

Erase Gogletab.com from the Home page line.

Enter a new homepage URL in the address line.

Click Apply and OK.

Google Chrome

Open the browser.

Simultaneously press Alt+F.

Select Settings.

Click Set pages and enter a new homepage URL in the address line.

Click OK.

Mozilla Firefox

Open the browser.

Simultaneously press Alt+T and click Options.

Click the General tab.

Enter a new homepage URL in the address line.

In non-techie terms:

Gogletab.com is a malicious search engine that has been created for the purpose of subjecting you to shady promotional links. It is distributed using illicit methods and can be injected into your browser by a malicious software installer. It can show malicious links in its search results, so we recommend that you remove it to ensure your computer’s security.